Home Guards may man Nariman Point traffic

MUMBAI: Nariman Point residents may, in a first of its kind, deploy home guards to monitor traffic in the upscale business district.

A proposal has been mooted by some corporate bigwigs and residents to hire six home guards to resolve the congestion woes in the area. Free Press Journal Marg, Jamnabai Bajaj Marg, Rajni Patel Marg, Ramnath Goenka Marg, Vinay Krishna Marg, NCPA Marg and V V Rao Marg will be taken up for the pilot project.

M B Vakharia, Ernest John, Kunti Oza and Jeyson Nadar have formed the Nariman Point Association (NPA) to chalk out a mechanism to address traffic issues. Vakharia said, "It is a collective decision by people of the area. We cannot keep our private guards to monitor traffic. It will not be acceptable. We wanted to give a semblance of working in tandem with the traffic department and complement them. The home guards will function like a parallel police force with uniforms."

A study by NPA showed that around 4,000 cars come from all over to Nariman Point. NPA has roped in corporates and the home guards will be on its payroll. They will work from 9am-5pm and 5pm-11pm.

John said, "A supervisor will manage the home guards, who will act like traffic wards without powers to book anyone for offences. But they will report cases to the traffic police in case of pedestrian misbehaviour and double parking, and will note down numbers of vehicles breaking rules."

Additional directorate-general of police (home guards) Surinder Kumar confirmed told TOI that he would take a "positive view" about it. He said the proposal would be considered after the election code of conduct ends.

Ravindra Shisve, deputy commissioner of police (zone I) said, "We are examining the proposal as it involves people's participation and some other stakeholders are involved."

Oza said the home guards will handle traffic with co-operation and not confrontation. "We are doing this as there are only 180 traffic wardens in A ward," said Oza.

"The deputy commissioner of police will impart training to the home guards. They will be trained to be courteous and not aggressive," said Oza.

The home guards will also focus on security, pedestrian and hawker movement. Nadar said, "We will ensure that traffic etiquette is followed. If there is unruly behaviour, people will be shamed. We will upgrade signages."